Safer smoking

Hep C is spread through blood. When you smoke crack, crystal meth or other drugs, the pipe you use can burn or cut your mouth, especially if you use homemade pipes like inhalers, pop cans, ginseng bottles or other metal pipes. If you have burns or cuts on your lips, you can get Hep C by borrowing, reusing or buying someone else’s pipe because there could be blood on it that you can’t even see.

You can prevent getting Hep C by using your own pipe, or at least your own mouthpiece, and not sharing drug-use equipment—not even with a friend or sexual partner. Using your own pipe or mouthpiece every time will also help prevent other infections such as HIV.

Information on safer smoking is provided below. Unfortunately, safer crack kits that have the materials to make a safer pipe are not available in all communities. If you want more information, you can watch this video or check with a needle exchange program or health centre. You can also create your own kit.

The harm reduction information that follows is offered as a public health service. Its purpose is not to encourage or condone the use or possession of illegal drugs. It is to help people make safer choices in their use of drugs that will reduce the spread of Hep C and HIV.

Pyrex pipe/glass stem

Thick Pyrex pipes are safer than other materials because they don’t get as hot as metal and don’t burn up and create toxic fumes like plastic. Thin glass bottles break easily, especially when heated up, and no one wants to suck on broken glass.

Holding the match or lighter beside the stem but not on it, and moving the flame up and down the stem instead of holding it in one place will melt the rock without making the stem as hot, which will prevent lip burns.

Brass screens

Brass screens make the best crack screens. They’re heat resistant and don’t break apart the way Brillo or steel wool does. When these pieces break off they can stick to the lips and the throat and cause burns or get into the lungs and cause damage.

Whatever screen you use, five to six screens need to be rolled tightly and pushed into the stem, to make sure they are firmly in place.

Changing the screens often will stop them from coming loose and getting sucked into your throat where you can choke on it. 

Mouthpieces

Protect your lips! The Hep C virus can enter your body if you have burns or cuts on your lips.

Putting a mouthpiece on the mouth-end of the pipe can protect your lips from burns and from getting cut. You can make a mouthpiece using a rubber band, piece of electrical tape or empty cardboard matchbook.

You can also use lip balm to help protect your lips from damage and to help them heal.

Drinking water or fruit juice will keep your mouth moist and help prevent cracks.

Push sticks

Using a push stick to pack the screen inside the stem will prevent the screen from coming loose. Wooden push sticks (such as a chopstick or kebob stick) are recommended.

Metal push sticks (such as a coat hanger or screwdriver) chip or crack the stem and this can cause sores. Plastic push sticks (such as a pen or syringe) melt inside the pipe.

Plan ahead

When it comes to sex, drugs like crack and crystal meth can make some people horny and others more passive. Unprotected oral, vaginal or anal sex (sex without a condom) can spread infections like Hep C, HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. Having condoms and lube on hand to use during sex can help you be prepared.

Also, think about what will happen when you come down from your high. Will you be hungry? Will you need a place to sleep? Try to make sure you have some food and a safe place to rest. If you can, try to budget so your rent and bills are paid before you buy your drugs. Some people try to set limits on how much they'll use. This will make the crash easier to bear. Talk to your local needle exchange staff for more information on this. 

Revised 2011.